A Milwaukee police officer shot and killed an armed robbery suspect near 1st St. and Howard Ave. on Saturday afternoon. Police had the area cordoned off in the evening.

Milwaukee police shot and killed an armed robbery suspect Saturday afternoon on the south side.

The robbery occurred about 4 p.m. after two men met behind a building near S. 17th St. and W. Layton Ave. to conduct a business transaction, as they had done previously, police said.

The victim said that this time the other man brought a gun and robbed him during the transaction.

Police did not describe the nature of the transaction.

Police said:

The suspect fled in his vehicle and was followed by the victim, who called police and provided information on the fleeing vehicle's whereabouts. The suspect ultimately crashed and ran from the scene.

A Milwaukee police officer caught up to the suspect near S. 1st St. and W. Howard Ave. and tried to question him about the armed robbery. At some point during the interview, the officer had reason to believe his life was in danger and fired his weapon, striking the suspect, a 28-year-old Germantown man.

Police didn't specify what prompted the officer to fear for his life.

Matt Nowak, who lives on Howard Ave., said he was in his upper flat with his girlfriend Saturday when they heard multiple shots. The suspect was on the ground when Nowak came outside to see what happened.

"I got there when the cops were rolling him over," Nowak said. "I saw an officer kneel down by the guy on the ground. Another officer was doing chest compressions."

Police said the suspect was on probation and wanted on warrants for felony escape and a probation violation.

Police said the officer is a 39-year-old man with 15 years of service. He is assigned to the Neighborhood Policing Bureau. In accordance with Milwaukee Police Department procedures, the officer was placed on administrative duty.

Several blocks of Howard Ave. as well as several side streets, were cordoned off Saturday night as police investigated.

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John Fauber is an investigative medical reporter who focuses on conflicts of interest in medicine and how drug and medical device companies and the FDA influence the practice of medicine. He has won more than two dozen national journalism awards.